The first new AMD desktop architecture in four years will debut with the Phenom 9500 and Phenom 9600. Both chips feature a 95-Watt thermal envelope and a shared 2MB L3 cache.

The AMD Phenom 9600 ships with a 2.3GHz operating frequency, while the Phenom 9500 features a slightly lower 2.2GHz clock. Both processors run on HyperTransport 3.0 and feature a total 2MB L2 cache; 512KB per core. The chips also come with an integrated DDR2 memory controller and support speeds up to the DDR2-1066 specification, which is still pending JEDEC approval.

Directron.com carries the Phenom 9600 at a retail price of $322.00 and the Phenom 9500 at $286.00.

AMD guidance originally stated that a 2.4GHz Phenom, dubbed the Phenom 9700, would also launch on November 19, however last minute roadmap updates indicate this chip will come in December instead.

These two Phenom processors are part of AMD's first-generation, 65nm Stars family. In the second-half of 2008 AMD will announce its second-generation Stars family, which will be a migration of the current K10 core to the 45nm node.

The second-gen Stars lineup consists of five variants, including quad-core Deneb, dual-core Propus, dual-core Regor and single-core Sargas. The second-generation Stars CPUs will also include an integrated DDR3 memory controller, a first for AMD.

AMD's Spider Platform launch also includes the official announcement of its ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series. The launch of the Spider platform will add two new video cards to AMD's lineup, the ATI Radeon HD 3870 and Radeon HD 3850.

AMD's new Radeon series received overwhelmingly positive feedback during AMD's November 15 media event. Newegg representatives tell DailyTech the company sold out all of its stock on the first day, but is quickly replenishing inventory.

To round off the launch of the platform, AMD also announced its 7-Series desktop chipsets. The AMD 790FX targets the ultra-enthusiast market segment, and corporate guidance sets the retail price of 790FX boards between $150-250. Several partners already announced boards supporting this new chipset earlier this year.

AMD designates the AMD 790X as its performance chipset, slotted just below the 790FX. AMD guidance states this chipset will run the consumer between $99-150. The mainstream AMD 770 chipset will not see store shelves for several months, but AMD claims this chip will round off the mainstream segment for AMD chipsets.

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